3 Semanas

Well only one baptism happened, but it was great anyway. Malvina is 73 years old and got baptized on Saturday by my companion, Elder Bispo.

This week has been terrible hot with little success because of the Holiday, everyone was or is traveling to visit relatives or to escape the heat. But we got another baptism next week (we hope) with Juliana. I´m getting a little trunky, as we say here when someone is think about home more than he should. It’s also becoming super difficult to sleep at night because of the heat. But it’s alright, it’s almost over.

Hope everything is going good back home.

A Expiação é real, o poder cura vidas e muda nossos hábitos se deixarmos. Senti na minha vida e preciso ser mais humilde para mudar meu atitude para ser em harmonia com os ensinamentos do Senhor Jesus Cristo. Ele já pagou o preço, vamos receber esse presente com braços abertos.

[The Atonement is real, the healing power lives and change our habits if we let it. I have felt it in my life and I need to be more humble to change my attitude to be in harmony with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He already paid the price; we receive this gift with open arms.]

Love you guys,

Elder Willard

4 Semanas

Well, it’s Christmas time and it’s super hot....que triste.

A women at church asked me if I have O negative blood (which I do) and asked if I could donate to a women in the hospital who has been waiting 2 weeks to do a surgery and I happily agreed.  I went to the hospital today but they didn't accept my blood because I took some antibiotics almost a month ago...dang it.

Last week we had our Christmas conference and it was about obedience and the importance of keeping the commandments. Everybody, I think, left a little burned and with a desire to be better, which is good.

I think we have 3 baptisms on Saturday WOOHOO!

I´m getting a little annoyed with missionaries that apply their own understanding of the scriptures and not what the profetas have taught us.

Pray every day, read the scriptures every day and you will not go astray.

Elder Willard

Merry Christmas (Feliz Natal)

5 Semanas

Well this week was difficult. It was terribly hot and lots of people are traveling so it was difficult to find people at home. It’s still hot.

Sister Castro has started a new rule that all missionaries have to take showers two times a day because of the heat. I won’t complain, but I live with 3 other missionaries.

Sacrament meeting didn’t have lots of people because of the holidays, but it was cool because I got to sing, Pequena Vila de Belém (O Little Town of Bethlehem) which was pretty spiritual.

We are talking to lots of people and inviting them to hear our message and to get a free DVD about Christmas, but not many leads yet.

Learning more and more how the spirit works and how it helps us to do what’s right. I feel like I´m at the top of my game, right before I go home, which is sad.

I would really, really like to be home for Christmas but I’ve got to keep working.

Arrependimento é real, Nós podemos ser purificado de pecado se nos arrependermos. A Expiação foi feito, temos que só arrepender-se. Tenha a coragem de arrepender-se e encontrará paz.

[Repentance is real, we can be cleansed of sin if we repent. The Atonement was made, we only repent.

Have the courage to repent and find peace.]

Falta pouco.

Elder Willard

6 Semanas

Well Our Zone leaders got transferred; one went home and the other become assistant to the President. He was my junior companion about a year ago: I’m so proud.

Well I was not transferred and I will die here with Elder Bispo, which will be good I hope. My throat got better...all by itself.

We are struggling to find people to teach but we´re talking to everyone. We are learning that the most important part of our work is quality not quantity.

Anyone can give a one minute lesson about something important but what counts is finding a quiet, calm space where you can teach in a way that helps a person feel and recognize that we are servants of the Lord and that he called us to do his work.

Someone has got to get baptized soon or I´ll go crazy.

Falta muito pouco mas no mesmo tempo...bastante.

Até logo

Elder Willard

7 Semanas

I have some kind of throat infection that is not getting better. It’s terrible difficult to eat and swallow. And I´ve been to the doctor twice and have bought about 100 reais (50 dollars) in medicine that is not working,

I´m getting a little frustrated. I have about 4 red-white, inflamed holes in my mouth that look like popped blisters. Sister Castro told me to find a specialist here in Pelotas. The trick is the mission might not be able to pay for the visit; I would pay and then be reimbursed later. A consultation is like 250 reais (125 bucks)...let see what happens.

I didn't get to work a lot this week because we had some days that were difficult to talk so I stayed home.

I´m also trying to help my companion work more and be obedient. Transfers are next week, one more transfer and it’s all over. I think I need to work more. I getting so tired, but I will try to sprint to the finish.

Elder Willard

8 Semanas

Rosa was baptized and confirmed; we are super happy for her.

This area is a little difficult; we are talking with lots of people, but they aren't that interested in our message. But we are motivated and excited to keep going.

I´m getting really tired...

My companion is going through a tough time. His mother as apparently left home, had a fight with her sister has run away. And this isn't the first time this has happened. When he was 16 his mother abandoned him for almost two years, alone at home with two brothers, one with Downs.

We are trying to keep him motivated and focus on the work. Please pray for Elder Bispo (Beespo)

`eu irei cumprirei as ordens do Senhor...`

Elder Willard

9 Semanas

Well Rosa is gonna be baptized on Saturday and we are super happy. She seems to be excited as well; sometimes people that are close to baptism get really nervous.

This week was tough but we got a lot of work done with some good numbers at the end of the week. 

I went on a division (splits) with a missionary that goes home in 3 weeks and we talked about jobs and work after the mission.  I don't know what I want to do anymore; so many different things I can do. 

But I won't worry about it right now. I´ll figure it out at home...just have to keep working.

We are getting excited for Christmas to call home on Skype. Mom you don't need to send me anything, I´ll be home 4 weeks after Christmas and one week after my birthday.

Falta pouco,

Elder Willard 

In Tres Vendas

Well it rains a lot and it’s super humid all the time. We had some really cool people appear at of nowhere.

We were knocking doors and we taught a little old lady who accepted the challenge to be baptized and went to church on Sunday and has already got an answer from her prayers, just needs to stop drinking coffee.

Also we were deceived by a women on the street who said the following,

“I want to go back to your church and want to get baptized and I want to baptize my daughter, what do I need to do?” Obviously we got excited and invited her to church and everything. But later learned that she is already baptized and tries to scam the church, asking for help financially. She is involved in prostitution, drug trafficking and other crimes...apparently. She has already scammed many other missionaries and we have been asked to not visit her. Got to be careful.

But other than that we are working a lot, some baptisms are coming and we are happy. 

See you all soon,

Elder Willard

Switch 'em up

Well we had a little accident.

On Tuesday morning, I was standing at the bus stop with my companion and all of his luggage, waiting for the bus. Well, a missionary called me and said that my companion wasn't transferred and it was me that was. The missionary that called me likes to joke around so I didn't listen to him. And so we got on the bus and went to Porto Alegre, then I got a call from the assistants that it really was me that was transferred. And so I had to go back, pack my bags super-fast and go back to the station in Porto Alegre. There apparently was some miscommunication. But for everyone to know, I was transferred to Pelotas, again, with Elder Bispo and the area Tres Vendas.

The area is good and the ward is kind and helpful.

We had a really cool experience with a member who was having lots of problems. She was starting to doubt that God was helping her and that she didn’t know what to do. And we didn’t know what to share with her to help her.

I heard my companion say, “Me ajuda” and then he opened his Book of Mormon to a random page and read two scriptures in Mosiah about faith and miracles. After he read them the member started to cry and my companion as well (I didn’t because I´m made of stone).

Two days later we returned and learned that a huge problem she had was resolved and that the aid was of heaven.

We are really excited to start working here and to baptize.

Falta só um pouco.

Elder Willard

Surprise, no Transfer

I am not being transferred. I will stay and the missionary I trained is going to Pelotas. My new companion will be Elder Bispo (Elder Bishop...hehehe)

I don’t know anything about him but I´ve heard that his cool. Vamos ver. He might be my last companion.

I asked the President to leave me here in this area until I go home; looks like he will do it. I only have 2 transfers left. 12 weeks.

It feels weird that I’m almost going home. I feel like I just got here.

The family that got baptized got confirmed and are all happy. They have a few questions still and some doubts, like why we believe that God has a body of flesh and bone. But we are helping them out.

Elder Murilo is really happy to be transferred to Pelotas. He´s already tired of the area. It’s been 6 months since I got here and there is still a lot to do.

Hope everyone is happy.

Elder Willard

Last week in Aguas Claras

Well the family that was baptized didn't get confirmed on Sunday. Apparently Dad had to work but we learned later that the wife Danny had visited some anti-Mormon sites on the Internet...we don't really know what happened but will do are best to get them confirmed on Sunday.

We didn't have much success this week, but it’s part of the work. Well, that's great that Frazier is going back to the mission field in Florida speaking Portuguese.

Halloween is not celebrated in Brazil.

They have a holiday to visit cemeteries to see passed away family members.

I think it’s my last week here in this area. I’ll be transferred for sure. Even though I asked to stay. Vamos ver.

Only 2 more transfers and it’s all over, and no way to go back.

Thanks for the help and support,

Elder Willard

Lost Kittens

The family got baptized and everyone is happy; they are excited to get started with everything as members of the church. They just need to build a house on the property that they bought recently in Aguas Claras.

All Sunday morning we had a thunder storm with lots of rain and when we woke up we heard a baby kitten crying outside on the neighbor’s property. My companion jumped the wall and grabbed him; he was completely drenched and very little. We grabbed a rag and wrapped him up with the heater on. We left him on my bed because we had to go to church. 

After church, the baptism and lunch, we got home and we heard the kitten crying again, and two more baby kittens we at our doorstep as well, his brothers. It appeared that mom had brought them to the front door to keep all of her kids together. We opened the door, picked up the kitten and his brothers and we tried to give them milk.

A few minutes afterwards, mom showed up wanting her kids back and of course we gave them back.

Mom grabbed each of them, one by one, by their necks and carried them home. Very cool.

We are really excited to be here serving the Lord and to help people come unto Christ to be happy and to have eternal life.

 It’s getting difficult to write, talk and think in English.

 All is well here.

 Elder Willard

Miracle

Yesterday at conference, a family that has been investigating the church told me the 19th of this month is no good. I got confused, “What do you mean, 19th?” and they said, “Oh for our baptism, isn't it marked for the 19^th?”

We had invited the family last week to be baptized but they didn't accept. But now they have accepted and want to be baptized this week on Saturday. It’s a conference miracle.

Beyond that super miracle, this week was normal. Conference was great, but on Sunday I got frustrated because we showed up an hour late.

On Sunday we went to lunch a little earlier than normal to be able to get to church before 1 o´clock. When we got to lunch we learned that the family´s car had two flat tires. And the last bus to conference left right when we got to their house. No bus, no ride, no way to get to conference on time. So we walked to the nearest bus stop and got a bus. When we got off the bus an older women got off too walking with a cane. It was irmã Maria, she saw us and got excited and asked if we were going to conference. We said yes and she said, “Oh good because I’m always scared to cross the street alone. Can you guys help me?”

I think the Lord made us late to help her cross the street.

But it’s all good here, we are excited for the baptisms and a new week.

Elder Willard

Worst week of the Mission (so far)

It has been the worst week of the mission because we didn't teach anybody, really nobody. I got a migraine which was terrible, and stayed home for 2 days, then we worked in another area for a day, then a service project. Then we passed 2 days trying to contact all of our investigators but nobody was home or was busy.

It was pretty sad but we are happy; it’s part of the work. I got the package a few days ago, THANKS MOM YOU ARE SUPER FLY.

I´m having some problems with my companion. It seems like everything has to be done his way which is tiring me out. I just let him make all the decision and I don't say anything. If I critique him, he shuts down and stops talking. But it will get better...I hope.

Yesterday I shared some of my peanut butter (that came in the package) with Marlene. She said, “Que delicia.” Brazil doesn’t have peanut butter (that´s good and cheap). They have some kind of peanut butter that is terrible and expensive.

I´m learning new things every day, and I’m learning that I don’t know almost anything.

Go back to the mission field Frazier

Elder Willard

Semana Farropilha

Rain, rain, rain.

This week was a holiday here in Rio Grande do Sul.

Apparently a long time ago, the south of Brazil, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul wanted to separate from the rest of Brazil and be their own country, much like Texas. And apparently had a little mini war. But they ended up staying with Brazil. This holiday is called Semana Farropilha. Everybody walks around in their tradition `Gaúcho` clothes, eat barbecue, riding on horseback, dancing traditional `Gaúcho` music, and drinking Chimarrão.

But the rain pretty much destroyed the merriment.

Emerson was confirmed and received the Priesthood yesterday but it looks like he´ll get married and will move back to Canoas with his ex-girlfriend and be a member there. It’s great that he´ll be happy and get married and keep the commandments but...sad that he´s leaving.

We had the opportunity to work in another area last Friday and while we were knocking doors, we found a little old lady, who will turn 80 next month. She offered us food and shelter from the rain. She revealed to us that much of her family are members of the church and that she isn't. She also was very sad about her son-in-law who is dying of bone cancer. We shared with her how our families can live together forever and the importance of baptism. She readily accepted the invitation to be baptized and said that she would call a relative to baptize her.

It’s neat how the gospel cures us emotional and spiritual, if we let it.

I love you all.

Eat your vegetables,

Elder Willard

Baptizing in a Swimming Pool

We had a baptism in a swimming pool, I´ll send the pictures next week. His name is Emerson and he’s progressing a lot.

We had stake conference and 3 of our converts received the Melchezidek priesthood, which was awesome to see that the ward is helping out a lot.

We miraculously found a less active who has been trying to find the church who was asking everyone she knows if they have heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But no luck until we knocked on her door. She went to conference yesterday and is becoming active again.

We had transfers today and I will stay with Elder Murilo, so I will stay here for 6 weeks. I would like to stay here for the rest of my mission but I don’t know if it will happen.

I AM SUPER HUNGRY.

We had a lesson yesterday with a family that is having lots of problems with a rich aunt. The aunt claims that the dad of the family beat her. And without evidence, he has to go to jail for 90 days. Dad didn’t do anything and is terrified to go to jail and ran away, which makes matters worse because innocent people don’t run.

So we counseled the wife that we should keep the law of the land and that the dad should turn himself in. And after the truth come out, justice will be served. Apparently there are a lot of witness and evidence to support that the aunt is lying. It´s super crazy to tell an innocent person that they should go to jail.

The gospel was made to bless everyone, we just have to live it.

Get better mom,

Elder Willard

Monkeys!

I saw monkeys!!!!

He was on the side of the road eating leaves in this tree with 3 other monkeys.

We are teaching a man who was forced to leave his wife (really girlfriend, not married) because of problems with respect and disagreement in priorities.

The wife works too much and the husband wants time to be together. Emerson, the husband, is now leaving with his Aunt and Uncle and we are teaching him. He discovered for himself that the church is true because his whole life he has had doubts about the bible and lots of questions that no one could answer. But he told us that all of his questions are being answered through the Book of Mormon and now he wants to be baptized.

Emerson has also been struggling to know want to do about his wife; should he go back and try to live the gospel and marry her or get baptized and start over here. He told us yesterday that he is going to stay because he won’t be able to follow Heavenly Father and keep the commandments with his wife, because she doesn’t want too.  Truly a huge sacrifice on his part to keep the commandments.

The word of Heavenly Father helps us change, if we let it.

I’m very grateful to see the changes in the lives of the people we teach, and to see them become even happier.

Elder Willard

Success

Saturday night as we were walking home we found a young man that we were teaching and he said he wanted to talk to us, but didn't have time, that we would talk the following day at church. At church he told us that every time that he reads the Book of Mormon and prays about it, his heart starts beating fast and he feels at peace. 

He told us that he wants to get baptized. So we got super excited! We are excited and working hard for a baptism to happen this Wednesday. He has some challenges but we are confident that everything will be alright.

Elder Murilo is learning the guitar and I have almost mastered a Rubix Cube. What a huge waste of time.

It’s my companion’s birthday on Sunday. I´ll have to do something cool.

Anyway all is well in Zion.

Love you guys,

Elder Willard

Pictures are: 

1) Yerba mate plant used to make the drink Chimarrao

2) Windmills at the beach

3) Elder Murilo drinking Chimarrao from an ox foot

Frosted Flakes

We had a baptism on Saturday which was great, like frosted flakes. Marica and Cristian were baptized and are excited to get involved. Also Everton is going to get baptized on the 28th which is a miracle. Elder Murilo is doing great and learning quickly, and his birthday is coming up on the first of September, I think I’ll try to make some sort of dessert, which will be difficult without him knowing...because he´s always flippin´ with me!

We are finding lots of people to teach in areas we have visited before. I think I have the flu.

The summer is coming to an end for you guys and the winter is become a little more tolerable.

Every single day I learn a little more that the church is true and that if I keep the commandments I will have eternal life.

I love you all,

Elder Willard

Father's Day

Well the week went by super slow, but I think that’s because I got a new companion, Elder Murilo from Santa Catarina; he is super cool, kinda shy, but teaches well and is very funny. He´ll be a great companion and is helping me a lot.

We had another miracle in our area. There is an investigator, Everton, who has been visiting the ward for almost 2 years yet never wanted to be baptized. He told us yesterday that he wants to be baptized now on the 28th of August. His wife and son are members and have been for years and are really excited.

Yesterday here in Brazil was Father´s Day. Everton´s son, Daniel who is 11 years old, learned that his Dad wanted to get baptized. During the priesthood session between classes, the bishop put his arm around him and said, “All of us Dads got some really great gifts today, but Daniel got the best gift of all.” Then the bishop looked at Daniel and he started to cry and could barely say, “meu Pai vai se batizar.” The mission President wants to be there.

Well we are all happy and working hard and hope that you guys are too,

Elder Willard

Another Transfer Shakeup

Today Elder Jensen and I have 1 year and 5 months out on the mission. We are becoming some of the oldest elders because of the growth of the mission. Well we had transfers and my companion has been transferred...to another area inside the same city.

I will stay and train a new missionary. We have no idea who he is, but I’m hoping he will be an American. But will probably be a Brazilian, which is fine too.

We have a baptism all marked up this week on Saturday and we are super excited. My new companion is gonna be super happy about that.

I didn't go to church on Sunday because I was throwing up during the morning...which was brutal. And everyone got freaked out and wanted to know where the missionaries were. A member family came by the house and dropped off a huge amount of food and soda. And we are really thankful for them.

This same family took us to the beach and bought us milkshakes and lunch. The beach is amazing on the Atlantic Ocean.

But I’m all stoked to get started again in this area with a new companion and we are gonna tear it up.

I only have 4 transfers left...or 6 months, so I’m gonna make them count.

I love you guys,

Elder Willard

The last bit of Aguas Claras

In the past few months the majority of the missionaries are new. And everyone that has my time on the mission are in leadership positions. Some new investigators told us this week that they want to get baptized, which is great. They will get baptized on the 10th of August. Transfers is next week and I don’t know if I will stay or go. If I stay I might stay here for 3 more months or train or who knows what.

But this area is terrific; my companion and I are loving it. We are getting along super good. It looks like the other Elder Willard is kicking butt!!!

Time is passing by really slowly for some reason, but that’s alright.

I love you guys,

Elder Willard

Progressing

Well this week was very normal. We taught a little, but have some success with a women named Nara. She is progressing and we believe is going to be baptized.

Today I bought 9 ties for 15 dollars. Hurray!!! I really don’t have much to say; really nothing is going on.

(Mom don’t send me a Christmas package or birthday package.)

Hopefully I will have some cool experience to share with you guys.

Elder Willard

Francisca Baptized

Francisca was baptized and confirmed, she´s really a stud. It looks like the other Elder Willard is kicking butt in Manaus.

All is good here but we don't really have any more investigators. They all got baptized, we need more references from the members to continue.

I feel like my mission is slowing down, the first year went by really quick but now it’s really slow...probably because of the area we don't have much to do. But the weeks go by quickly.

Please treat your missionaries like adults and don't chew them out for meaningless stuff like not answering the phone when it’s broken or going to appointments when you have a fever of 40 degrees Celsius.

I did get the package the ward sent me...I hope Frazier got the letter and sent him... and writes me back.

Peace, Girlscout

Elder Willard

Happy Fourth of July

Francisca said she wants to be baptized. She said she had a dream. In the dream she was standing next to a baptismal font full of water she then say a child that she had raised in the water. Francisca has a terrible fear of water and worried that he would drown. She called out to him but didn't want to leave the water and then dunked himself in the water. When he came back out he was very happy and said, "I want to be baptized again." Francisca understood that as an answer to her prayer that she should be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Her Baptism will be Friday. We are super excited.

We are extremely blessed with the help of the members here and hope you are doing the same.

Happy 4th of July and happy Birthday to the other Elder Willard

Winter and Protests

The family got confirmed and they are all going to church strong, how cool is that? The ward needs more families, the ward deserves it. We also have been having a lot of protests in Porto Alegre and Viamão, but nothing to be concerned about. We work in a very rural area and there is not much that goes on around here. It’s starting to get really cold around and dark; it has finally become winter in Rio Grande do Sul. I'm really starting to like the culture, the food, the clothes, the costumes, even the different handshakes the Brazilians have here.

I´m getting along really good with my companion, unfortunately he´s been very sick, for weeks. He wasn’t able to take the flu shot like I did and is suffering for it.

It’s really incredible how the gospel changes people’s lives, they put their lives in harmony with Heavenly Father´s will. All because of the Holy Ghost which slowly molds the hearts of willing people.

Joseph Smith foi um Profeta de Deus, Ele O viu, Deus e o Filho dele falaram com Joseph. E por meio dele

a igreja de Cristo foi restaurada, não tenho duvida disso. Por favor, Orem, se tiverem. Perguntem a Deus com

fé se é. Ele os revelará pelo poder do Espirito Santo.

Guardem os Mandamentos e sejam felizes.

Elder Willard  

More Baptisms

We got to baptize another family here in Aguas Claras.

Cesar, Christiane, Alexya and Andrey. Andrey didn't want to be baptized with his family yesterday because he thought it was too soon, and so we challenged him to pray and asked Heavenly Father if he should be baptized. Yesterday he told us that he prayed and that he had a dream where his how family was baptized and that he was left behind, and so he asked to be baptized just a few hours before the baptism. Isn't that awesome!

We also had a great training with the Apostles and the Prophet about missionary work and how the members really need to help us out. We spend too much time look instead of teaching.

Eu espero que Vocês estejam ajudando os missionários nas tuas área e estejam levando pessoas à igreja. Testifiquem e compartilhem teus testemunhos para elas. A Igreja é verdadeira. Eu amo vocês.

[I hope that you are helping the missionaries in your area and are bringing people to church. Testify and share your testimonies for them. The Church is true. I love you.]

Até mais,

Elder Willard

New District Leader

The weeks are passing by really fast, it is surprising. Unfortunately, P-days are not, there is nothing to do on P-day here.

A family went to church yesterday, thanks to a member family and we will staring teaching them soon. They seem to be ready to get baptized.

Everyone in our ward goes to the temple which is great, but we can’t still... :(

I feel happy and care-free almost all the time. At college, I wasn’t and at high school, not as much. Truly the best thing a person can do is dedicate himself to the Lord and forget everything else. I also feel things that would have bothered me before don’t anymore. Don’t make problems and you won’t get problems.

The one thing that really bothers me here is people talk bad about other people behind their backs. No one can or should do that; you never know all the facts or how a person really feels. So just help, less complaining and more problem solving.

I love you all,

Elder Willard

Getting cold

Looks like Elder Willard (the one in Manaus) is killing it out there.

This week has been terrific with lots of success and we are find a lot of new people that seem really interesting. We are also getting into a really good teaching rhythm. It doesn't matter the number of people that you teach, it’s how effective you teach. We have to teach really, really simply because our message is a little complicated and the people are a little more humble here.

It’s been freezing cold here at night but so members gave us some blankets so it’s getting better.

I'm really starting to love the people here in Brazil, these people can´t not help. The people here offer everything that they have to us. And we don't even ask for anything. We pass by a member’s house and they decide to make dinner for us without notice, and are happy to do so. I hope I can emulate those attributes to better serve Christ.

This ward is really focused in missionary work, we are have a lot of success, thanks to the members.

I hope summer time is coming fast for you guys because it’s getting really cold around here.

Elder Willard

Family Baptisms

Eraldo, Leia, Natalia and Vitoria were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our bishop, stake president and the mission president were there. The baptism was terrific with a lot of people there; it’s the first baptism of the ward here, Aguas Claras (clear water). The area is very similar to home; it’s very rural, lots of trees and very few people. The problem is we can’t go knocking on doors because everyone lives in apartment complexes and we are not permitted to knock. So we have to work with the members and without referrals we can’t work.

My companion is Elder Marcato. He´s from São Paulo and is the only member of his family that is a member. Elder Marcato is a stud. Tem que ser feliz semper, cara!

But right now we got to find a lot more people. The family we baptized were like the only people we were teaching. But we have some investigators that are progressing.

It’s starting to get cold around here. We are moving to a new house in our area and I had to spend a lot of money to things for the house, plates, silverware, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, a shower light bulbs etc. The church is going to reimburse me.

So, yeah that’s what’s up.

amo vocês

Elder Willard

In Aguas Claras

I got transferred. Right now I’m in Viamão, it’s a city near Porto Alegre in the north part of the mission. I’m with Elder Marcato,  he´s from São Paulo and has 3 months on the mission and a convert to the church. He works hard and likes to mess with the Zone leaders.

                    

Right now I’m in a brand new ward called Águas Claras (Clear Water). The area is huge and is basically divided by bus stops every kilometer. Our area starts at bus stop 60 and goes until like 140, so 80 kilometers. Also we can’t use bikes...it’s a rule in Brazil. We are living with some other missionaries in Viamão so we have to catch a bus every day to get to our area but thankfully we are going to move to a new house in our area this week. Presidente came up and bought a bunch of new furniture for our new place.

We are going to baptize a family this week with mom, dad, and two daughters. Which is terrific. We were teaching them last week and Dad told us that he didn’t feel ready so we marked the baptism for the 25th. Presidente, when he came down, wanted to visit them. Presidente challenged them to be baptized the following day, last Saturday. The family decided to pray that night. Dad got an answered that he need to be baptized but he wanted the Bishop to be at the baptism. Unfortunately he is traveling and so, they will be baptized on Saturday the 25th. 

Aguas Claras reminds me a lot of the Island. It’s very rural, the house are spread out and the people are nice...more or less.

But we are hanging in there. It’s getting very cold around here, and the only thing we have to heat are new house is an electric fan.

Thanks a bunch.

Elder Willard

Progress

This week has been good, we have been focusing in visiting people with members of the church to make the lessons more comfortable and help them feel like all of this is possible.

We have a lot of people that are progressing and that I hope will be baptized this month. Hopefully this week. Its finally getting cool  here which is a greet blessing, after all its Fall.

Its really cool to see when we work with members stuff just happens right. We go and visit people and when we arrive they tell us that they have been wanted to talk with us that they have been needing help. Its really cool to see how we are being guided to talk to certain people.

Elder Willard

Baptisms

We had a baptism on Friday which was great, there's nothing like having a baptism to get you pumped for more baptisms. His name is Lerri Rian (lehi ryan). His the son of a less active and a non-member and a super active grandmother and they all basically live together.

 

We had a stake conference via satellite with Elder Scott (who spoke Portuguese) and some members of  the Seventy and Relief Society. Unfortunately the Internet was so terrible that we missed about an hour of the conference. We were only able to understand Elder Scott and still some people complained that he talked to slow and that his accent was weird.

 

I did a presentation at an English school and I talked about culture in the US for about and hour and a half. Its really interesting how people try to tell me facts about the US that aren't true. But they all got a kick out of "Don't kiss anybody." Here in Brazil its very common to kiss other people of the opposite gender

when you greet them. I told them don't do that, you will only see that on TV and with celebrities that think that they are "fancy."

 

I'm getting thinner

 

Elder Willard

Teaching English?

Well this week has been a lot of work which has been great with lots of prospects. Finding people that seem general interested in our message and are doing what we ask them to do.

Hopefully we will get to play volleyball today at the chapel. I have a presentation at a School of English. I'm going to talk about some physical differences between Brazil and the US. For example, here in Brazil they don't have water heaters, when you want to take a shower you use a chovero, it’s a plastic attachment that goes on the shower head.

It’s basically a plastic bowl with a wire in it to get the water hot. The good thing is you never run out of hot water. Or, it’s very rare to have a dryer for clothes, instead you hang them up on a line.

 I need more socks...but I´ll buy them here.

Mother’s day is super close!!!!

The elder Elder Willard

New Companion

My new companion is from Curitiba, Paraná. If you guys don’t know where that is, that’s fine, some people around here don’t know where it is either and it’s like 8 hours away by car. His name is Elder Andrade, his 19 and ready to work. Unfortunately, he has been sick for about this whole week and we haven’t had much time to work in our area, but this week will be different.

Weird facts, most Brazilians don’t think we landed on the moon and some don’t believe in dinosaurs, like they never existed.

Looks like we got a baptism for on the 26th locked in for a grandson of a super active member.

It’s starting to get really cold down here. But cold for me is a lot different cold for them. Everyone is bundled up with lots of coats, hats, and scarves. But its only 60 degrees.

Hopefully, I´ll have more interesting this to share next week.

Elder Willard

(the first one)

Transfers

This week was alright, I would have liked more success. We are working with our recent convert so he can receive the priesthood and start getting for a mission maybe!!!!

I feel like I’m learning a ton, about the language, being a missionary, the gospel but the probably is I also feel like I know very little, you know how that is. And sometimes you learn a new thing and it’s like a large pitcher of water and it understand it the picture of water is poured into a cup, or your brain but the problem is the cup is a tiny shot glass and the cup over flows and you lose almost all the water on to the ground.

It’s transfers today, I will be staying in my area and will get a new Brazilian companion. Elder Andrade, we´ll see how it goes. We are focused on a few people that can be baptized this month, with faith anything is possible.

It’s finally starting to cool down around here, Fall but it still doesn’t feel like it yet...probably because its April. I’m also losing weight; I have stopped consuming cake, soda, candy, most kinds of desserts and I’m eating lots more fruit. Mom would be proud, I think.

Thanks a bundle,

Elder Willard

Another Baptism

Cassio was baptized on Saturday and it was terrific!!

Truly, He was an enormous blessing for us. Let me start from the beginning.

About 5 weeks ago, a young man entered the chapel and he seemed a little off. He was wearing jeans and a shirt supporting a local school in the Carnival competitions, missionaries from another ward approached him and asked him if he needed anything and why he was there. He said that he was downtown celebrating Carnival all night and until about 7-8 o clock in the morning and was so tired (and drunk) that he couldn’t make it home on foot. So, he stopped to rest in the chapel.

The missionaries invited him to come to church next week and he accepted. The next week he came again but I wasn’t able to talk to him and he disappeared. The third week, I talked to him and asked if we could teach him and he said that his mother didn’t like our church but we could teach him at the chapel during the week, unfortunately he forgot or wasn’t able to go to that lesson.

The fourth week he approached us and asked to be baptized before we could teach anything. We taught him as fast as we could and he was baptized this last Saturday by a member of the ward.

The Lord is preparing people to be baptized and to follow the Savior. I hope that I can see more of these miracles on my mission. The church is true, the book is blue.

Elder Willard

It's Fall

On Saturday we had a Missionary activity, we invited all members of the ward to our activity and to bring some one who doesn't know the church. We present a movie that talked about the temple and how families can be together forever. We got to meet some new people and reactivate some less-actives but, of course, after the activity there was food.

Cachorro quentes.

Hot dogs are different here in Brazil. They take hot dog meat and cut it into slices and mix it with a lot of tomato sauce with corn and peas. So, it’s kinda like a sloppy Joe, but a hot dog.

Then they put ketchup, mustard, and mayo on top with a crispy potato thing on top. It looks like a bunch of mini french fries on top. It’s weird but good.

We were at Church yesterday, very normal and a young guy (16) who has been visiting church for almost a month said, “I want to be baptized.” We decided to teach right after church with some of the young men leaders and I asked why do you want to be baptized

and he said this, “Oh, I don't know, I just want too, It feels right. Before I started coming to church I was walking in darkness but now everything has changed and now, I'm not doing anything wrong anymore.”

I will baptize him on Saturday, the only problem is that his parents don't like the church and maybe won’t let him get baptized.

But all is well here in Brazil; it’s finally Fall 

Elder Willard

Going so Fast

Cintia got an answer!

We went to visit a less active family to figure out why they didn't go to church and a friend of theirs, Cintia, told us that when she prayed she received an answer about the Church and that it’s all true. She said this with a big smile on her face.

 She went to Church yesterday and is progressing. But she has to get married first to get baptized, also there’s a young guy attending church that also could be baptized soon.

I feel like I was just here writing an email, I just don’t know what to write about.

Mom could you send me some recipes, by email, to make desserts like:

Texas sheet cake

Berry Delight

Brownies

Cookies

or anything American.

The mission is passing by really fast, I hope I don’t miss it.

Elder Willard

Carnival

This week has been very difficult. The city if Pelotas, which I have discovered is the 2nd most humid city in the world, postponed Carnival until this last week. For that reason it was super difficult to teach or find people, there was a lot of drunks and trash on fire for some reason as well.

There is a young man coming to church out of the blue this last two Sundays, we will see if we can get him baptized here soon. He’s 16.

Frazier: buy good shoes or boots, not the kind of shoes I brought. I haven’t worn a pair of shoes that has fit me for over 8 months. Go a little more expensive and get good work boots maybe. Manaus sounds awesome.

From what I’ve learned on the mission is that each state is like its own country because people don’t move or travel very much. There is even a difference in accent between cities only an hour apart here. 

I love all of you!!

Elder Willard

Tough Week

This week was....uh...difficult. We baptized the son of a less-active member to help her get reactivated again and it was working out pretty well. But during this week we passed by their house and as we entered, the husband was taking everything out of the house that was his. He was fed up with the relationship, with his wife that has been “nothing but a fight for 5 years,” and he was moving out. We started talking to the wife who explained what had happened and that they were splitting up.

After a little bit, the husband and the wife engaged in a argument that was very painful to hear. They began digging up the past from heavy drug use to prostitution. And the poor wife was just balling her eyes out. They screamed and argued and called each some pretty terrible things, and we sat and watched for 3 hours trying to resolve the conflict. We had established some goals and plans to improve the marriage and by the time we left they were smiling a little and laughing with us. We passed by their house on Sunday and things have improved greatly.

I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and the orientation it gives to help people become better and heal lives.

Elder Willard

Floods

More baptisms!!!! We baptized three more young guys, Diogo, Wesley and Taylor. Brazilians love American names for some reason.

Transfers are today and I will stay here for at least another transfer in Pelotas, which is great because we can probably baptize more in this area. Another good thing is that I will stay with Elder Yopán for another transfer too.

We had a flash flood in area on Tuesday. It rained super hard for a lot of the afternoon and our street filled up with water up to the knees.

I only know that because we went walking through it to a member’s house that was filling with water. There is a river to the south of our area which is a ‘poop river’ where the sewage goes. That river filled up so much that it claimed the street next to it making it a huge river.

Four of us left our lunch (to help out a member) in white shirts and ties and umbrellas and waded through this massive poop river. The river was full of trash, but also turtles, and as we walked we saw turtles swimming around our feet. We also saw a massive rat swimming on the surface of the water.

What didn't help was that a couple of trucks passed by us in the street, causing waves that exploded over us. I will never forget that day.

But this week was really good; I’m excited to get back to work!

Elder Willard

Baptisms

We had a baptism of part of the family on Saturday and we will probably baptize the rest this week. This week was really hectic; we have had really crazy weather where it pours down rain for 15 minutes and creates floods. Then it stops and the sun pops up and makes everything extremely humid.

We’ve just been going, going, going!! Our zone’s goal for baptism this month is 25 and I think we need like ten more; we probably have another 3 baptisms this week, so just a few more!!

 Karolina, Bruna, and Inaiara are awesome and will help the ward out here in the young women’s group.

I sent some pictures of them.

I love you guys,

Elder Willard

Raining Bugs

We got the baptism scheduled of a family marked for this Saturday: Carol, Bruna, Inaiara, Wesly and Diogo. They are the children of a mother who is still not ready for baptism, but her children want to be. So we will focus on that for this week.

Also, Jeferson, one of our investigators, decided to get baptized, but needs to get married, but he said something really...legal. We taught the word of wisdom and after we invited him to live it he said basically, “Well..duh. I will do anything you guys say. Everything you guys say is true and right.” He knows for himself that the church is true.

Also we saw a weird phenomenon. We got home when it was very humid and dark and for some reason really bright lights were on, guiding our way home. Because of the brightness of the lights, thousands of penny size beetles were flying around the lights. As they were flying around, they would smash blindly into buildings four stories in the air and fall, hitting the ground. Most of the time they would die. So as we walked to our apartment last night, it was literally raining bugs.

I got the package, it was terrific, thanks alot mom.

Elder Willard

February

The other elders and I bought 10 liters of ice cream and we are gonna eat it today...and play a board game called Catan. Maybe Tennis again.

 

Anyway, we taught a lot of lessons this week and found a few investigators and 2 went to church, but we don't have much progress in the way of baptisms. We found two families that want to get baptized, but the parents have to get married first. Unlike in America where you can get married in a day, here the process is about a month. But the families really want to change and are willing to lay everything

aside to be baptized.

 

But all is well, I'm not doing so well at working out in the mornings, because I'm just so tired. I feel like I have a million and one things to say, but I just cant remember anything.

 

Elder Willard

How can you eat your pudding if you don't eat your meat!?‏

Well, my new companion is Elder Yopán from Santa Catarina, a state really close by. It is equal to living in Washington and getting called to Idaho. He’s very quite but has a sense of humor, a deep voice, and seems to love metal. He’s also ripped.

I’m getting used to this new area with new members, investigator, less actives and everything. We have two companionships in this ward, Elder Peters and Elder del Pino, a Canadian and a Chilean. It’s a rare district of missionaries that we outnumber the Brazilians.

But yeah there is not much going on right now.

Elder Willard

Transferred

I’m getting transferred to Pelotas, kind of a surprise. I expected to stay here and finish training my companion, Elder Nunes, but it looks like I will be shipped out tomorrow.
My companion on the other hand is been sick with a disease like chicken pox (Catapora).
He’s got red spots all over his hands and feet and scalp. He feels normal other than a sore throat, headaches, fever, diarrhea, and crazy uncontrollable itchy on the infected skin.
The doctor at the clinic said that it’s very rare to pass to other people, but it’s possible.

For that reason we have been in the apartment most of the week. Elder Nunes is starting to get spots on his face and is a little embarrassed by it. When you see members, they stop 5 feet from him and stare at his face and ask, “What...what happened..?” Poor guy.

We are pretty close to having a baptism here but yet again I will not see it...
The other problem is I bought a lot of food a few days ago and I don’t know what to do with it because of the transfer. I’m just gonna have to eat all of it.

Eu sei que nosso Salvador vive, Ele lidera á igreja dele por meio dos profetos vivos e dos apostolos. Sou grato pela oportunidade trabalhar aqui em Rio Grande, no outro lado do mundo. Com certeza, me sinto saudades de minha familia e meus amigos mas a missão vale a pena.
[I know our Savior lives, He will lead his church through prophets living and the apostles. I am grateful for the opportunity to work here in Rio Grande, across the world. Sure, I miss my family and my friends but the mission is worthwhile.]

Eu Amo vocês, Thank you for all the birthday wishes!!
Elder Willard

Mom, could you thank the Turners and the Woodingtons for the letters and packages, and of course Grandma and Grandpa.

I could buy a pistol tomorrow!‏

(Howard turned 21 on Tuesday)

As I was walking in the street today with my companion, the phone rang. It was President Castro and I about dropped the phone in fear. It's not normal for the mission president to call you out of the blue.

He just wanted to know about our relationship with the ward bishop, progress and, of course, baptisms. Last time he called me I got emergency transferred to Rio Grande and missed a baptism.

 

On the 26th Elder Bednar of the Quorum of 12 Apostles is coming to our mission. And we can't go because we live too far down south, some new rule for missionaries. So I'm a little bitter.

 

Yesterday, Dianna came to church and enjoyed it a lot, it seems. She told us last week that she knows that the church is true. She said that before we taught anything or invited her to do thing thing, her life was complete. She is feeling the influence of the holy ghost in her life and she is making changes to get ready for baptism, like keeping the law of Chastity.

 

I hope that everything is going terrific for you guys. I'm in desperate need of a haircut.

 

Happy Birthday Katie and Mom!!!

 

Elder Willard

New Year

We are really struggling in this area to get people to progress or to find people that what to hear our message. We marked 3 people to be baptized this week but none of them went to church and now it looks like they don’t want to progress at all. So we are just gonna keep working and hope somebody pops up. We are just getting discouraged. Other than that our week has been pretty normal, not much going on. We are strengthening our relationships with the members to get them involved in the work.

Zach, could you send me another video of you and your lovely wife? Frazier, are you working with the missionaries in the ward? Mom, could you send as many tenor church solos as you can to me by email or mail? The ward is asking me to sing in church but that don’t have another music than hymns with the same arrangements. Amelia could you send me pictures of you in New York?

I hope everything is going well for you guys up there

Elder Willard